Jan. 6 panel holds public hearing days after meeting with Trump WH counsel Pat Cipollone

Following a model popular with retirees and those desiring less home maintenance, The Patio Homes at Seven Hills rezoning plans have advanced to the July 18 meeting for final approval.

The O’Fallon City Council plans to OK the zoning amendment for a 50-unit residential development of two and three-family dwellings located at North Seven Hills Road and East Wesley Drive.

Developer Rich Gorazd of SMR Holdings sought to change the planned use and provide a new preliminary plat because initial plans had been approved in 2018 for a 54 single-family home subdivision where the homes would be sold individually but all open space would be held in common ground.

This rezoning proposal is for multi-family two and three-family homes. All land will be held in common by the homeowners’ association. This allows residents to have the benefit of a yard without having to maintain it themselves, Gorazd told the Planning Commission, and Community Development Committee, and on first reading at the July 5 council meeting.

“This type of subdivision has become increasingly popular in the area ... particularly attractive to retirees; however, this development will not be age restricted,” Community Development Director Justin Randall said.

The streets in the area were originally laid out to accommodate office development, so a small public street has been added to support the new residential layout, Randall said.

In addition, this rezoning necessitates an amendment to the Future Land Use Map of the 2040 Master Plan, from “Low Density Residential” to “Medium Density Residential.” The new preliminary plat will be presented Monday, July 18.

A fee of $30,294 will be required for the 0.59 acres of park land required for the development, totaling $605.88 per unit. These fees will be added to building permit fee for each home as it is secured, totaling $1,211.76 for a two-family permit and $1,817.64 for a three-family permit.

An employee handbook was updated, as of June 30, after the Finance and Administration Committee meeting reviewed it June 27, and unanimously approved it.

Assistant City Administrator Grant Litteken said the update was necessary to keep up with legal and employment changes and hadn’t been changed since 2018.

On outside employment, to state it must not compete or conflict with or compromise the city’s interest. An employee must allow ample time for rest between employment with city and outside employment.

On bereavement leave, to make clear leave is to attend services for the death of an immediate family member.

For education assistance and tuition reimbursement, makes completion of degree required for complete reimbursement.

For jury duty, expands to permanent part-time employees with a regular schedule.

For vacation benefits, eliminated duplicates and errors in accumulation table. Makes vacation time allowable within first six months of employment if employee’s work performance is satisfactory.

Because of the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act in 2019, updated employee conduct and work rules, and drug and alcohol use.

Employees can have nose piercings in personal appearance section and defines and prohibits offensive and inappropriate tattoos, and appropriate tattoos can be visible.

Allows for donation of sick time to employees with life-threatening illnesses.

It also established a workplace bullying policy and codified the remote telecommuting policy.

In addition to the updates mentioned, the new ordinance will allow the city Administrator to make administrative changes to the employee handbook to ensure it remains in compliance with local, state or federal law. These administrative changes may stay in effect for six months or until they are considered by the O’Fallon City Council — whichever is less.

The city will lease 650 square feet, situated at 1901 W. Highway 50, from the Finkelstein Family Limited Partnership for the lease of ground for the construction of gateway signage.

The city has identified several gateway locations, including the intersection of Old Collinsville Road and Highway 50. Staff has worked with the ownership of the O’Fallon Plaza to create a lease agreement and a preliminary design has been presented to the owner. They will continue to work with the owner to develop a design they will approve.

Because social security expenses were underestimated, TIF developer reimbursements were underestimated, bond service charges were higher, a transfer of funds were higher due to an increase in project cost and additional purchases from restricted police trust fund account. This all resulted in several funds having expenditures in excess of budgeted amounts at the end of Fiscal Year 2022.

Because revenues are available to fund the excess expenditures, the council authorized Finance Director Sandy Evans the necessary transfers and budget amendments for Central Park TIF — $21,502; Social Security — $14,250; Police Trust Fund — $3,705; Park Land — $12,000; and Harley Davidson Debt Service — $40; or any other fund that may need to be adjusted.

The City Fest Committee is seeking volunteers and selling raffle tickets.

In recognition for National Park Month, O’Fallon and Shiloh residents will have a free swim from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at O’Fallon Memorial Pool.

The O’Fallon Public Works Department planned to close West Highway 50 between Cambridge Boulevard/Third Street and Walnut Street beginning Tuesday, July 12. The work should be completed by Tuesday, July 26 — weather permitting.

The road will be closed to thru traffic to replace the existing storm sewer with a new precast concrete box culvert. Drivers are urged to use the marked detour route on Lincoln Avenue to Third Street. This work should be completed within two weeks — weather permitting.